From Abdulrazaq Mungadi, Gombe
The Gombe State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has announced that they recovered a total of N244 million in 4,158 cases recorded in 2023. According to the State Commandant, Muhammad Bello Muazu, the amount was recovered for complainants in various cases through the anti-fraud department of the Corps.
Muazu who revealed this during the annual press conference of the Corps in Gombe, also disclosed that the NSCDC has stepped up its efforts towards reducing crime, especially farmers/herders clash and other social vices in the state.
He explained that 3,011 out of the 4,158 cases recorded in 2023 have been concluded while 1,147 of the cases are ongoing. According to him, the successes recorded by the Corps in the lingering farmers/herders clash were through various proactive measures and collaborations with members of the public and other security agencies as well as the state government.
He assured that the NSCDC would continue to work to ensure the safety and security of lives and properties in Gombe State, and urged residents to support the Corps with timely and accurate information that would aid their operations. Muazu added that the Corps has made significant progress in curbing vandalism, illegal mining, and other crimes immoral and indecent acts in the state.
He said, “We recently arrested a 35-year-old engineer who vandalized the Gombe State International Conference Center (ICC) and stole the armored cables and other electrical installations worth millions of naira and sold them for N115,000”. The Commandant further disclosed that the suspect was a staff of the state government who works as an electrical engineer at the ICC.
He was initially a staff of the firm contracted for the construction of the ICC in 2013, he was later employed by the state government for maintenance and other works at the center. We also have other cases, including a rape suspect who attempted suicide while the investigation was ongoing,”. Muazu told Daily Sun.
He explained that the 23-year-old suspect was arrested for allegedly raping and defiling a 4-year-old girl in the Jekadafari area of Gombe metropolis. According to the Commandant, the suspect who was transferred to the state Command from the Gombe area command of the Corps sneaks into the holding cell with a razor blade which he used to slit his neck. He said, “The suspect did that when the rape victim was taken to a hospital for medical examination. He was immediately rushed to the hospital and treated.
“He will be charged to court to face the law upon completion of the investigation,” the Commandant assured while stating that the state Command of the NSCDC is committed to sustaining the successes recorded in the year under review. He called on all stakeholders in the state to join the fight against crimes and criminality and to work in collaboration to achieve the common goal of a safe and secure society.